The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Balducci becomes the second Oregon high school player to commit to the Ducks for 2012, following Newport's Oshay Dunmore.

Balducci, rated as the No. 13 defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and No. 43 by Scout.com, chose Oregon over offers from Washington, Arizona State, Oregon State, California, Boise State, Utah and Colorado.

“I felt deep down that there wasn't a college that could top them, so to kind of relieve some stress, I thought I'd get it over with right now,” Balducci said. “Washington was my second choice. It was pretty close. I liked Arizona State a lot, too.”

Balducci, a two-way starter for the Rams, said that most colleges wanted him for defense, but some wanted him for offense. He prefers to play defense.

“Oregon said I could play anywhere from defensive tackle, D-end, nose guard, whatever I can make work,” he said. “I feel like I'll probably be a defensive tackle.”

Balducci had 37 tackles, including one sack, in seven games as a junior. He missed four games with a torn posterior cruciate ligament.

Balducci was recruited by Oregon offensive line coach Steve Greatwood.

“He understands that if he gets switched to offense, he'd be coached by a guy he really likes,” Central Catholic coach Steve Pyne said.